Loom anti-vibration mounting means



1964 H. R. KENNEDY ETAL 3, 7

LOOM ANTI-VIBRATION MOUNTING MEANS Filed May 21. 1962 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 FIG-1.1.

I H will??? 4, lllllll EflL/ I'NVENI'ORS WALTER ENGELS JAMES w. KNOX,Jr.

RRY R.KENNEDY P16. 4. 5 I I afw/uww i- ATTORNEY United States Patent LGOM ANTl-VERATIGN MOUNTENG MEANS Harry R. Kennedy and James W. Knox, In, Greer, 5.0,

and Walter Engels, Tryon, FML, assignors, by mesne assi nnients, to H 8: Co, inc, Grecnviile County,

S.C., a corporation of South Qarolina Filed May 21, 1%2, $81. No. 196,15? 7 Claims. (Cl. 248-22) This invention relates to anti-vibration mounting means for looms.

In Weaving mills, large numbers of looms are sometimes mounted in rather closely spaced relation on a single floor by the mere bolting of the feet of the loom. end frames directly and rigidly to the floor. Each such loom is subject to severe inherent vibration during operation, mainly due to a rather large mass of several hundred pounds which oscillates back and forth continuously at a rather high rate of speed with the rocker shaft carrying the lay swords and associated mechanisms. If several adjacent looms become synchronized or nearly synchronized during operation, a terrific strain due to vibration is placed upon the floor and on the entire building, and in some mills parts of the floor can actually be observed to visibly move or shake relative to the walls, which is obviously unsafe and undesirable. It is within the realm of possibility that an entire building could be caused to collapsed by the operation of a number of looms operating in substantial synchronism. The problem cannot be solved by the mere inclusion of felt or rubber pads beneath the loom end frames or sides because there is still a direct connection through bolts or the like between the flooring and the frame of the loom.

It is therefore the object of this invention to completely solve the above problem through the provision of a novel and improved mounting base for looms which will substantially eliminate the transmission of loom vibrations to the floor or building and cradle the loom during operation in a stable and satisfactory manner so as not to interfere in the slightest with normal loom operation, and in fact, tending to perfect such operation by allowing minute movement of the loom relative to the floor.

Another object is to provide an anti-vibration mounting for looms which is self-lubricating, long-lasting, substantially free of maintenance problems, rugged and durable and inexpensive to manufacture.

Another object is to provide means of the above-mentioned character which may be formed separately from the loom frame or in part integral therewith if preferred.

Another object is to provide means of the mentioned character which is very easy to install on newly manufactured or existing looms without any modification of the basic loom frame structure.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following detailed description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the anti-vibration mounting means according to the invention shown applied to one frame end of a loom, it being understood that the mounting means in duplicate form is applied in the same manner to the opposite loom frame end,

FIGURE 2 is an exploded perspective view of the mounting means according to the invention,

FIGURE 3 is a side elevation of the same, partly in longitudinal vertical section and partly broken away,

FIGURE 4 is a transverse vertical section taken substantially on line 4-4 of FIGURE 3,

' FIGURE 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the upper runner constituting one of the main elements of the mounting means,

3,160,376 Patented Dec. 8, 1964 "ice FIGURE 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan view of the opposite end portion of the upper runner shown in FIG- URE 5,

FIGURE 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of the base section of the support or mounting means for looms,

FIGURE 8 is an enlarged end elevation of the upper runner,

FIGURE 9 is a transverse vertical section taken on line 9-9 of FIGURE 5, and

FIGURE 10 is a similar section taken on line lib-10 of FIGURE 7.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, attention is directed first to FIGURE 1 which illustrates one complete invention unit 20 for supporting one frame end 21 of a weaving loom upon a floor 22. The loom is entirely conventional and need not be described herein, other than to state that one of the frameends 21 is present at each end of the loom, and upon these frame ends the entire heavy loom structure is mounted. One of the invention units Zll supports each of the frame ends 21 of the loom in the manner presently to be described with reference to the other figures of the drawings which illustrate a single invention unit.

The anti-vibration mounting unit 29 comprises two main elements, namely an elongated generally horizontal unitary base 23 for direct attachment to the floor, and an upper support member or runner 24 for direct attachment to the feet 25 of the loom frame ends, either by bolting, welding or by forming the runner 24 integral with the loom frame end during manufacturing if preferred.

The base 23 comprises an intermediate longitudinal bar section 26, preferably T-shaped in cross section as shown best in FIGURE 10. At its opposite ends, and integral therewith, the bar section 26 carriers slightly downwardly offset fiat horizontal rectangular base plates 27, apertured at 28, to receive bolts 29, FIGURE 1, for rigidly attaching the base 23 to the floor. The lower edge of the T-shaped bar section 26 is preferably slightly elevated from the floor, and the bottom faces of the base plates 27 are preferably smooth and lie in the same plane. The junctures St) between the bar section as and base plates 27 are heavily reinforced and gusseted as shown to provide rigidity to the base 23.

Formed integral with each base plate 27 is a crowned sloping fixed bearing pad 31 of considerably length longitudinally of the base plates 27 and somewhat narrower than the latter, FIGURES 2 and 7. Each pad 31 slopes upwardly toward the outer end of its base plate 27 at m angle of approximately 7 degrees above the horizontal transversely approximately 10 degrees below the horizontal as shown. The faces 32 are symmetrically formed upon the bearing pad 31 and are of equal Width. The crowned upper edge 53 of each heating pad 31 is disposed at the transversecenter of the base 23 and longitudinally thereof.

Corresponding crowned and shaped insert plates 34 formed of sintered metal, such as brass or the like, rest detachably upon the bearing pads 31, the latter being suitably machined to receive these insert plates in accurate fitting relation. The crowned insert plates 34constitute liners for the bearing pads 31 which may be removed and replaced readily after wearing due to long usage. Other materials than sintered metal may be .employed for the insert plates 34 if preferred. L1 assembly,-

the insert plates 34 have the same degree of longitudinal slope and the same transverse slope or crowning as the underlying bearing pads 31.

The runner 24 which rests directly upon the base 23 in assembly, is an elongated relatively shallow unitary channel-like bar 35, including a top horizontal web 36, depending side flanges 37, and end depending flanges 38. The runner 24 is thus designed for maximum rigidity and minimum Weight, and the channel structure of the same is extremely rigid. Near and inwardly of its ends, and between the flanges 37, and directly over the bearing pads 31, the runner 24 is provided upon the lower side of its top web 36 with integral depending heavy bosses or projections 39 having bottom faces which are sloped longitudinally so as to mate with and be parallel to the longitudinal slope of the bearing pads 31 and the insert plates 34 in assembly, FIGURE 3. As shown in the drawings, the bottoms of the bosses 39 are also recessed upwardly in a V-shaped manner to conform to the transverse cross sectional shape of the crowned pads 31 and insert plates 34. That is to say, FIGURE 9, the bottoms of the bosses 39 have transversely upwardly converging flat faces 40 to interfit accurately with the underlying crowned elements 34, and the faces 46 are also inclined longitudinally upwardly toward the ends of the runner 24 so as to be parallel to the longitudinally inclined underlying elements 31 and 34 which, as stated, slope upwardly in opposite directions toward the ends of the unit 20 at angles of about 7 degrees above the horizontal. In substance, the bottom recessed faces of the bosses 39 mate with and are adapted to interfit with the crowned sloping elements of the base 23 beneath the runner 24.

The bottom faces 40 of the bosses 39 are preferably machined accurately to receive detachably correspondingly shaped and crowned insert pads 41 formed of molded Teflon or like extremely tough material having long-wearing and self-lubricating properties While in rubbing contact with metal or the like. The insert pads 41 rest directly upon the sintered metal insert plates 34 in assembly, FIGURE 3, with the insert pads 41 disposed approximately at the longitudinal centers of the plates 34 as shown. In assembly, the only points of direct contact between the runner 24 and base 23 are the points of engagement of the pads 41 with the insert plates 34 The top web 36 of the runner 24 is spaced above the top of bar section 26, and the flanges 3'7, and 38 of the runner are spaced from the base plate 27, FIGURE 3. The insert pads 41 are in intimate contact with the sintered metal insert plates 34 over their entire areas.

The runner 24 therefore rests fioatingly or in a cradled manner upon the base 23 while the latter is rigidly secured to the floor, as stated. The runner 24 is rigidly secured to and carries the full weight of the loom frame ends 21. In this manner, the entire weight of the loom rests upon the two invention units 20 beneath the frame ends 21 and the entire weight of the loom is therefore cradled and floatingly supported relative to the floor so that the loom vibrations caused by the oscillation of the lay and associated elements are not directly transmitted to the floor. The mass of these oscillating loom elements continuously swings back and forth during loom operation longitudinally of the invention units 20. The oppositely longitudinally sloping inserts 41 and 34 in constant rubbing contact allows slight longitudinal relative move ment between the runners 24 and bases 23 while constant cradling the entire loom and preventing it from shifting appreciably in either direction longitudinally of the units 20. Thus, by means of the invention, the necessity for rigidly bolting the loom proper to the floor is dispensed with, without the possibility of the loom shifting from its proper location, and the objectionable horizontal vibration of the loom is substantially dampened or reduced. At the same time, due to the transverse crowned construction of the inserts ll and 34 and associated parts, the loom is also cradled against vibrations and prevented from moving transversely of the invention units 20 as should now be obvious. Thus the invention units cradle the entire loom in two directions and dampen vibrations in all directions while floatingly supporting the loom in the desired position without allowing the loom to shift or move on the floor. The relative movements between the runners 24- and fixed bases 23 are minute, but suflicient to relieve the floor of the heavy vibratory effect of loom operation. The mounting is long wearing and sub stantially self-lubricating and the only parts which need ever be replaced are the Teflon or like insert pads 41 and the sintered metal plates 34 and this need only be done after long intervals of use. There are no parts requiring adjustment or maintenance and no assembly problems and no adverse effect whatsoever upon loom structure or loom operation. In fact, loom operation is improved by the use of the invention.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as a preferred example of the same, and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of the invention or scope of the subjoined claims.

We claim:

1. An anti-vibration support for looms and the like comprising a base member adapted for rigid attachment to a supporting surface and being low and transversely narrow and elongated, raised bearing pads on said base member near opposite ends thereof, said pads having oppositely longitudinally inclined top bearing faces which slope downwardly at substantially equal shallow angles to the horizontal toward the longitudinal center of the base member, whereby the outer ends of said bearing faces are elevated substantially equidistantly above the inner ends of such faces, the tops of said pads and said" faces being transversely crowned symmetrically with respect to the longitudinal axis of the base member to provide upwardly converging face portion-s each arranged at a substantially equal shallow angle below the horizontal, an elongated transversely narrow vertically shallow runner member adapted for rigid attachment to a loom frame end in underlying relation thereto and being substantially coextensive lengthwise and transversely with said base member and overlying the latter in closely spaced relation thereto, and dependent bearing pads on said runner member near the opposite ends thereof. and adjacent to and overlying said bearing pads of the base member and adapted to rest upon the latter floatingly, said dependent pads sloping oppositely longitudinally and being recessed upwardly to provide thereon bearing faces having the same angular configurations and slope longitudinally and transversely as said bearing faces of the bearing pads of the base member and resting upon and interfitting slidably with the latter to permit some relative longitudinal movement of the runner member on the base member responsive to vibrations of said loom or the like.

2. The invention as defined by claim 1, and nonmetallic separately formed wear-resistant substantially self-lubricating plate-like inserts arranged between the opposed bearing faces of said base and runner members to reduce friction and vibration therebetween.

3. An anti-vibration self-centering machinery support comprising base means attachable rigidly to a floor and having widely spaced oppositely longitudinally sloping upwardly facing bearing faces, the inner ends of said bearing faces being lowermost and their outer ends being uppermost, said bearing faces also. being upwardly crowned transversely and symmetrically throughout their lengths, runner means adapted for a rigid attachment to the bottom of a machine in superposed relation to the base means and adapted to fioatingly engage and rest upon the base means and having widely spaced oppositelyv base means, the bearing faces of the runner means alsobeing upwardly recessed transversely to allow face-to-face longitudinal and transverse sliding engagement with said bearing faces of the base means, whereby the runner means is cradled fioatingly on the base means through said interengaging bearing faces and adapted to move somewhat longitudinally relative to the base means responsive to machinery vibrations.

4. The invention as defined by claim 3, and wherein said interengaging bearing faces of the base and runner means are fiat surfaced.

5. The invention as defined by claim 3, and inserts of non-metallic tough low friction material between said interengaging bearing faces of the runner and base means.

6. The invention as defined by claim 3, and wherein the base means includes an elongated bar-like member interconnecting said widely spaced bearing faces and said runner means includes an elongated rigid channel member closely overlying said bar-like member and interconnecting said bearing faces of the runner means.

7. An anti-vibration self-centering machinery support which is elongated, vertically shallow and transversely slender in overall configuration and comprising a base member for attachment to a floor and provided near opposite ends with oppositely longitudinally sloping upwardly facing bearing parts, said bearing parts also having symmetrically transversely sloping face portions, an overlying runner member substantially coextensive with said base member and adapted for rigid attachment to the bottom of a machine and provided near opposite ends and adjacent the bearing parts of the base member with oppositeiy longitudinally sloping downwardly facing companion bearing parts, said companion bearing parts also having symmetrically transversely sloping face portions for face-to-face sliding engagement with the face portions of the bearing parts of said base member, whereby said runner member is fioatingly cradled longitudinally and transversely on the base member and adapted to shift somewhat longitudinally thereon and tending to return under the influence of gravity to a substantially centered substantially horizontal position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,463,406 Serrell July 31, 1923 2,680,259 Milk June 8, 1954 2,719,761 Bonnafe Oct. 4, 1955 

1. AN ANTI-VIBRATION SUPPORT FOR LOOMS AND THE LIKE COMPRISING A BASE MEMBER ADAPTED FOR RIGID ATTACHMENT TO A SUPPORTING SURFACE AND BEING LOW AND TRANSVERSELY NARROW AND ELONGATED, RAISED BEARING PADS ON SAID BASE MEMBER NEAR OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF, SAID PADS HAVING OPPOSITELY LONGITUDINALLY INCLINED TOP BEARING FACES WHICH SLOPE DOWNWARDLY AT SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL SHALLOW ANGLES TO THE HORIZONTAL TOWARD THE LONGITUDINAL CENTER OF THE BASE MEMBER, WHEREBY THE OUTER ENDS OF SAID BEARING FACES ARE ELEVATED SUBSTANTIALLY EQUIDISTANTLY ABOVE THE INNER ENDS OF SUCH FACES, THE TOPS OF SAID PADS AND SAID FACES BEING TRANSVERSELY CROWNED SYMMETRICALLY WITH RESPECT TO THE LONGITUDINAL AXIS OF THE BASE MEMBER TO PROVIDE UPWARDLY CONVERGING FACE PORTIONS EACH ARRANGED AT A SUBSTANTIALLY EQUAL SHALLOW ANGLE BELOW THE HORIZONTAL, AN ELONGATED TRANSVERSELY NARROW VERTICALLY SHALLOW RUNNER MEMBER ADAPTED FOR RIGID ATTACHMENT TO A LOOM FRAME END IN UNDERLYING RELATION THERETO AND BEING SUBSTANTIALLY COEXTENSIVE LENGTHWISE AND TRANSVERSELY WITH SAID BASE MEMBER AND OVERLYING THE LATTER IN CLOSELY SPACED RELATION THERETO, AND DEPENDENT BEARING PADS ON SAID RUNNER MEMBER NEAR THE OPPOSITE ENDS THEREOF AND ADJACENT TO AND OVERLYING SAID BEARING PADS OF THE BASE MEMBER AND ADAPTED TO REST UPON THE LATTER FLOATINGLY, SAID DEPENDENT PADS SLOPING OPPOSITELY LONGITUDINALLY AND BEING RECESSED UPWARDLY TO PROVIDE THEREON BEARING FACES HAVING THE SAME ANGULAR CONFIGURATIONS AND SLOPE LONGITUDINALLY AND TRANSVERSELY AS SAID BEARING FACES OF THE BEARING PADS OF THE BASE MEMBER AND RESTING UPON AND INTERFITTING SLIDABLY WITH THE LATTER TO PERMIT SOME RELATIVE LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT OF THE RUNNER MEMBER ON THE BASE MEMBER RESPONSIVE TO VIBRATIONS OF SAID LOOM OR THE LIKE. 